What is Certificate of Destruction?
- Definition
- A certificate of destruction is an official document issued by a recycler confirming that specific IT assets have been securely destroyed and data has been rendered unrecoverable.
A certificate of destruction (CoD) is a formal document provided by an ITAD or data destruction provider confirming that specific devices have been sanitized or physically destroyed. The certificate serves as legal proof that your organization took appropriate steps to protect data during equipment retirement.
A comprehensive certificate of destruction typically includes the date of destruction, method used (wiping, shredding, degaussing), a list of assets destroyed with serial numbers, the name and certification of the destruction provider, and a signature or digital verification.
Certificates of destruction are critical for regulatory compliance. HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOX, and other regulations require organizations to demonstrate proper disposal of devices that contained protected data. During audits, these certificates serve as evidence that your organization followed its data retention and destruction policies. Most certified ITAD providers issue certificates as part of their standard service.
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